Is a Thyroidechtomy necessary?

[moonbouncer]

I tested positive for Thyroid antibodies and ANA test which my endochrinologist says means that I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. My TSH and all of the other thyroid tests are in the normal range. I just had a biopsy because ultrasound showed two lumps in my Thyroid.  The results are negative for one lump and A-Typical for the other. My Dr. wants me to have a complete Thyroidechtomy.  I would like other options as I am afraid of trying to live the rest of my life balancing my hormones.  I am 44 and also have low estrogen and progestersone levels and am currently on biodentical replacements. I have been going all natural and organic lately and am considering Armor when needed. Does anyone have advise for me?

[LadybugVA]

What was the result of all of this for you?  I am basically in the same place now you were then.

[moonbouncer]

Thanks for your reply.  I would like to add that I have not yet seen the Surgeon recommended by my Endo who is just a general Surgeon.  The endo told me that since I have Hashimotos the gland will die anyway and since I have an A-typical tumor I should just have the whole thing removed and then I would no longer have any cancer worries.  I feel that I would like to have the Slice biopsy done first to see if I could get a better reading on the tumor instead of A-typical which I think is indeterminable.  I would like to also try Thyroid medicine to see if it would shrink the tumors.  I just wonder if the endo feels the tumor is cancer as my lymph nodes are very swollen and painful and have been for a long time.

[medhelpjunkie]

At minimal a lobectomy needs to be performed to remove nodule with atypical cell to verify carcinoma (malignant) or adenoma (benign).  My diagnosisi was sort of reverse.  A nodule was found in my thyroid, but reg. blood test was in range no anti-body test was done.  But FNA determined aytpical follicular cells.  SO I was told it need to come out for above reason.  I met with two surgeons, One specialized in Head and neck tumor and  the other specialized in Edocrine oncology surgery.  They had different surgical approaches.  the head and neck surgeon (knowing I had Hashi in my family however I was not diagnosed with it yet) stated that he would perform a lobectomy, AND only if 1) the frozen section determined nodule was malignant and/or 2) If I had Hashi,  woud he remove the whole thyroid.  The Endocirne surgeon however stated she did not believe in performing more surgery then is needed. With Hashi, your body is killing the gland, so it end up being dead.  It is not going to get better,  However, second surgeon expained that the risk of complications increases with a total...and you have to way the risk against the outcome.  Your surgeon my have specific reasons to remove the whole.  You need to inquire why he/she would remove the whole gland and see if the answer to out ways the risk of possible complications.        Hope this helps and if You have any further questions don't hesitate to ask

[medhelpjunkie]

It is a good question to ask...But I don't belive that thyroid med shrink tumors.  There are ndoles that have nomal cells and therefore, they try to shink those with meds and watch and monitor.  My endo put me on synthroid on the day she did my FNA.  She did it for tow reasons.  1) I felt like **** and to to see if the nodule would shrink.  However, once atypical or cancer cells are found they need to remove.  If there is cancer...then the whole thyroid needs to be removed for further RAI treament.  It turns out tha after my surgery, they not only found antibodies in my thryroid but I was also diagnosed with Multinodule Goiter.  However these nodules are so small the can not be seen in ultrasound.  those were in  my removed lobe.  My endo states they will have to monitore the other side with ultra sound evertime I visit her.  I guess I could avoid that and possible future cancer in the other side if I had decided to have the whole thing out.  once again you have to way the risk versus future outcome.  It a tough decision.  Make sure they give you as much info as they can and as you need to make it.   My final pathology report came back benign hence the lobectomy.